CC SR 20201201 02 - CDBG FY 21-22 Funding Authorization
PUBLIC HEARING
Date: December 1, 2020
Subject:
Consideration and possible action to approve the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
project for Fiscal Year 2021-22
Recommendation:
(1) Approve the proposed Fiscal Year 2021-22 Community Development Block Grant project and
budget;
(2) Authorize the Deputy Director of Public Works to execute an agreement for the Fiscal Year
2021-22 CDBG project with the Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA), subject
to approval as to form by the City Attorney; and
(3) Authorize the Deputy Director of Public Works to adjust the project budget, as necessary, to
take into account the final CDBG allocations and any amounts unexpended at the close of
Fiscal Year 2020-21.
1. Report of Notice Given: Deputy City Clerk
2. Declare Public Hearing Open: Mayor
3. Request for Staff Report: Mayor
4. Staff Report & Recommendation: Lauren Ramezani, Senior Administrative Analyst
5. Council Questions of Staff (factual and without bias):
6. Testimony from members of the public:
The normal time limit for each speaker is three (3) minutes. The Presiding Officer may grant additional time to a representative speaking
for an entire group. The Mayor also may adjust the time limit for individual speakers depending upon the number of speakers who
intend to speak.
7. Declare Hearing Closed/or Continue the Public Hearing to a later date: Mayor
8. Council Deliberation:
The Council may ask staff to address questions raised by the testimony, or to clarify matters. Staff and/or Council may also answer
questions posed by speakers during their testimony. The Council will then debate and/or make motions on the matter.
9. Council Action:
The Council may: vote on the item; offer amendments or substitute motions to decide the matter; reopen the hearing for additional
testimony; continue the matter to a later date for a decision.
CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: 12/01/2020
AGENDA REPORT AGENDA HEADING: Public Hearing
AGENDA TITLE:
Consideration and possible action to approve the Community Development Block Grant
(CDBG) project for Fiscal Year 2021-22
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION:
(1) Approve the proposed Fiscal Year 2021-22 Community Development Block
Grant project and budget;
(2) Authorize the Deputy Director of Public Works to execute an agreement for the
Fiscal Year 2021-22 CDBG project with the Los Angeles County Development
Authority (LACDA), subject to approval as to form by the City Attorney; and
(3) Authorize the Deputy Director of Public Works to adjust the project budget, as
necessary, to take into account the final CDBG allocations and any amounts
unexpended at the close of Fiscal Year 2020-21.
FISCAL IMPACT: No fiscal impact; 100% grant funds estimated to be $149,000 in
Fiscal Year (FY) 2021-22.
Amount Budgeted: N/A
Additional Appropriation: N/A
Account Number(s): N/A
ORIGINATED BY: Lauren Ramezani, Senior Administrative Analyst
REVIEWED BY: Ramzi Awwad, Deputy Director of Public Works
APPROVED BY: Ara Mihranian, AICP, City Manager
ATTACHED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:
A. Site Curb Map/Concept Plan for Proposed FY 21-22 CDBG Project (page
A-1)
B. Public Meeting Notice (page B-1)
C. Affidavit of Posting (page C-1)
D. Eligible activities (page D-1)
E. Ineligible activities (page E-1)
Additionally, click on the links on the following page for information presented at the
September 1, 2020 City Council meeting:
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01203.0006/618924.1
September 1, 2020 City Council Staff Report
https://rpv.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=5&clip_id=3719&meta_id=85933
September 1, 2020 Staff PowerPoint Presentation
https://rpv.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=5&clip_id=3719&meta_id=86027
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION:
Through the Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) program, the U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provides grant funds for
community development projects to principally benefit persons of low and moderate-
income levels and/or aid in the prevention of blighted conditions in disadvantaged
communities. The CDBG program funds projects with the goal of providing housing,
economic, and community development opportunities. The Los Angeles County
Development Authority (LACDA) administers the program, and the City has participated
since 1986.
The City’s annual grant allocation is determined by a formula which considers poverty,
population, housing overcrowding, age of housing stock, population growth ; and the
number of cities participating in the countywide program. The formula results in a typical
grant allocation to the City of approximately $150,000 because of the City’s
demographics.
At the December 17, 2019 City Council meeting, City Council directed staff to present
options that provide social programs for future use of the CDBG grant funds. During the
September 1, 2020 meeting, staff presented the City Council with potential social
program options including developing an aging and persons with disabilities program,
funding a meals-on-wheels program, funding a Peninsula Seniors Zoom program,
and/or funding Palos Verdes Peninsula Village Zoom programs. Additional details are
available in the September 1, 2020 Staff Report and PowerPoint presentation (see links
under Attachments).
Staff also informed the City Council that a new program, Community Development
Block Grants - Covid-19 (CDBG-CV) made additional grant funds available with
restricted uses. These funds, in the amount of $86,499, are restricted to social
programs for disabled, income-eligible, or senior residents affected by Covid-19.
Considering that CDBG-CV funds are available for use towards the options provided on
September 1, 2020, the City Council directed staff to use CDBG-CV funds towards
those social programs and CDBG funds towards eligible infrastructure project s, such as
construction of accessible curb ramps. Proposed CDBG-CV uses will be presented for
Council consideration at a future meeting.
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01203.0006/618924.1
Description of Proposed CDBG Project
Because of the relatively small annual allocation and limits on fund accruals over time,
the most suitable use of the grant funds has been for the installation of Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant accessibility sidewalk curb ramps at various
intersections throughout the City. These ramps provide access for elderly and members
of the community that have disabilities.
Staff proposes combining CDBG grant funding from FY 20 -21 with FY 21-22 to form a
larger ADA ramp improvement project that can benefit from economies of scale and a
more distributed administrative burden. Staff considered combining even more years of
funding to create an even larger project (i.e. utility line undergrounding); however,
LACDA requires that no more than 1.5 times the City’s annual CDBG allocation remain
unexpended by March 31st of each year.
The proposed ADA ramp improvement project will be in the Rolling Rivera
Homeowner’s Association (Eastview neighborhood near the Redondela Area within
Area 9). A site map of proposed locations is attached (Attachment A). This area was
selected because it contains a high concentration of intersections without curb ramps in
a residential area with a middle school nearby. The City used CDBG funds to install
accessible curb ramps in this area with prior CDBG grant funds, and this project will
continue addressing further needs. Design and procurement of this project is expected
in the first half of 2021, and construction is anticipated to be completed before the end
of 2021.
Proposed CDBG Budget
LACDA informed the City that its preliminary FY 21-22 CDBG funding allocation is
approximately $149,000. Of this total, $119,200 (or 80%) is available for direct project
costs (including design, construction management, inspection, and construction) and
$29,800 (or 20%) is available for administrative costs (grant required reporting, labor
compliance and monitoring).
Upon approval of the proposed CDBG project by LACDA, the City’s FY 21-22 CDBG
allocation ($149,000) will be programmed into the City’s FY 21-22 budget. Staff
budgets the CDBG project costs (including administration) to be fully grant funded with
zero net impact on the City’s General Fund.
In the event that the actual amount of CDBG funding available is greater than , or less
than, the preliminary estimate of $149,000; the scope of work can be adjusted
accordingly by the Deputy Director of Public Works.
Based on the above, staff recommends the City Council authorize the Deputy Director
of Public Works to execute an agreement for the FY 2021-22 CDBG with LACDA and
adjust the project budget according to unexpended funds of final CDBG allocations at
the close of FY 20-21.
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01203.0006/618924.1
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
COVID Response CDBG Grant Funds through CARES Act
LACDA notified the City that $86,499 in Federal CDBG CARES Act grant funds are
now available and can only be used for approved COVID related activities. These
funds were discussed to benefit the public, particularly seniors and persons with
disabilities, by the City Council at the September 1, 2020 meeting; and recommended
uses will be brought before the City Council at a future meeting.
Public Noticing
To continue to participate in the next grant program cycle (July 1, 2021 – June 30,
2022), the City must prepare and submit a description and cost of its proposed CDBG
project to the LACDA for review and approval by February 1, 2021. Although LACDA
only requires public notification, the City has traditionally provided more transparency
and conducted a public hearing.
Pursuant to federal regulatory requirements, a notice of this public meeting
(Attachments B and C) was posted at City Hall/Civic Center, Hesse Park, and the
Ladera Linda Community Center on November 16, 2020 (two weeks prior to the
December 1, 2020 public meeting).
Federal requirements also mandate that, as part of the public meeting, the City Council
and the public be informed of the range of eligible and ineligible housing and community
development activities that may be funded under the CDBG program. Lists of these
eligible and ineligible activities are included in this report (Attachments D and E).
ALTERNATIVES:
In addition to the Staff recommendation, the following alternative actions are available
for the City Council’s consideration:
1. Take other action as deemed appropriate by the City Council.
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EXHIBIT "A"
FY 2020 / 2021 CDBG ADA IMPROVEMENT PROJECT CONCEPT PLAN
Project Goal:
•To improve access at intersections in Area 9 of Rancho Palos Verdes.
•This project will remove material barriers that impede access for the
mobility impaired by constructing curb ramps, which will help to
provide proper accessibility for the wheelchair bound or someone
with a walking disability.
Project Improvements:
•Upgrade 18 intersection corners to remove architectural barriers
(full-height curbs). These locations are illustrated with orange
dots on the map.
Legend:
Proposed Curb Ramp
A-1
A-2
REDONDELA DRIVE & BANDRA PLACE:
REDONDELA DRIVE & ELDENA DRIVE:
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES
PUBLIC NOTICE
HYBRID (IN-PERSON/VIRTUAL) CITY COUNCIL MEETING
TO BE HELD ON
DECEMBER 1, 2020 TO CONSIDER
THE FY 2021-22 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) PROJECT
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City Council of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes will
conduct a public meeting to receive input from the public on a project to be submitted to the
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for funding through the
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program. The project, which will be
considered by the City Council at its December 1, 2020 meeting, has been determined to be
eligible under the federal guidelines and, if approved by the City Council, will be considered
by the Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA) for inclusion in the City's FY
2021-22 CDBG Program, as part of the LACDA's Annual Activity Planning process. All
interested parties are encouraged to attend.
Persons attending the meeting shall be furnished with the following information: (1) The
amount of CDBG funds expected to be available to the City for the upcoming fiscal year; (2)
The range of housing and community development activities that may be undertaken with
CDBG funds; and (3) The specific activities that are currently funded under the CDBG
Program.
SAID PUBLIC MEETING HELD ON DECEMBER 1, 2020 at 7:00 PM W ILL BE A HYBRID
(IN-PERSON/VIRTUAL) CITY COUNCIL MEETING. THE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS WILL
BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC WITH LIMITED SEATING - PLEASE SEE UPDATED PUBLIC
PARTICIPATION OPTIONS
Pursuant to Section 3 of Executive Order N-29-20, issued by Governor Newsom on March 17,
2020, the meeting of the City Council for Tuesday, December 1, 2020, will be conducted
through a hybrid combination of in-person attendance with not less than three members of the
City Council, invited staff, and limited members of the public at Hesse Park, McTaggart Hall,
29301 Hawthorne Boulevard and via teleconference using the Zoom platform and broadcast live
on the City's website at http://www.rpvca.gov/agendas and on RPVTV Channels Cox 35 and
Frontier Fios39.
The public is invited to attend or via teleconference or in writing provide testimony at the
public meeting or participate via the options available.
CDBG Project Title: Access Improvements – Redondela Drive Area
CDBG Project Description: This project will consist of the removal of
approximately 22 sidewalk curb barriers at certain crosswalk locations (4
intersections along Redondela Drive, two intersections along Eldena Drive, an
intersection at Avenida Feliciano and Avenida Del Mesa, and at an intersection on
Avenida Aprenda and Palmeras Place) in the City and replace them with
accessible curb ramps. This project will remove material barriers that impede
access for the mobility impaired by replacing these non-existent curb ramps,
B- 1
which do not provide a safe path of travel for the wheelchair bound or someone
with a walking disability, with accessible curb ramps.
CDBG funds will provide for the design, construction management, inspection,
construction, and administrative costs associated with the removal of physical
barriers for the elderly and persons with disabilities at these locations.
CDBG Project Budget: $298,000 (FY 20-21 $149,000 and FY 21-22 $149,000)
If you simply wish to make a comment, please submit via email to cc@rpvca.gov or by mail to
30940 Hawthorne Blvd., Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275. Comments received by 4:00 P.M. on
Tuesday, December 1, 2020, will be forwarded to the City Council prior to the meeting for
consideration. Otherwise, they will be included as late correspondence the following day. or
interested parties may also visit the public counter in the Public Works Department,
Public Works Department, City of Rancho Palos Verdes, 30940 Hawthorne Blvd.,
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275, Monday through Thursday, 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM, and
Fridays, 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Please note that visiting the public counter requires an
appointment, and wearing a face covering or you will have to socially distance outside.
You may also call Public Works at (310) 544-5245, or email the project manager Lauren
Ramezani at LaurenR@rpvca.gov,
Posted on November 16, 2020
B- 2
HYBRID (IN-PERSON/VIRTUAL) CITY COUNCIL MEETING
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2020 CITY COUNCIL MEETING
THE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC WITH SIGNIFICANTLY
LIMITED SEATING
Pursuant to Section 3 of Executive Order N-29-20, issued by Governor Newsom on March 17,
2020, the regular meeting of the City Council for Wednesday, November 4, 2020, will be
conducted through a hybrid combination of in-person attendance with not less than three
members of the City Council, invited staff, and limited members of t he public at Hesse Park,
McTaggart Hall, 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard and via teleconference using the Zoom platform
and broadcast live on the City's website at rpvca.gov/agendas and on PVPtv channels Cox 35
and Frontier FiOS 39.
To maximize public safety while maintaining transparency and public access, those members of
the public wishing to participate in City Council meetings are encouraged to do so in one of the
following ways:
1. Virtual Platform (Zoom): If you wish to speak during the meeting, please fill out
the online request form at rpvca.gov/participate by 5:00 P.M. on Tuesday,
December 1, 2020. Upon successful submission, you will receive an email with
further instructions on how to connect to the meeting.
2. Comments on non-agenda and specific agenda item(s): If you simply wish to
make a comment, please submit via email to cc@rpvca.gov or by mail to 30940
Hawthorne Blvd., Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275. Comments received by 4:00
P.M. on Tuesday, December 1, 2020, will be forwarded to the City Council prior
to the meeting for consideration. Otherwise, they will be included as late
correspondence the following day.
Comments on non-agenda and specific agenda item(s) during the live meeting: If
you are watching the meeting live and wish to make a comment on an agenda item as it
is being heard, you may submit your brief comment using the methods below. Your
comment will be read or heard during the meeting, if received in real time and prior to
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the commencement of that item. Otherwise, it will be included as late correspondence
the following day.
a. Email: Comments will be accepted via email to cc@rpvca.gov during the
meeting, prior to the close of the public comment portion on an item or
during public comments for non-agenda items, and read aloud into the
record with a maximum allowance of three minutes per individual
comment, subject to the Mayor’s discretion.
b. Voicemail: You may leave a comment at (310) 544-5217 using the City’s
voicemail system prior to the close of the public comment portion on an
item or during public comments for non-agenda items, and your message
will be heard by the City Council with a maximum allowance of three
minutes per individual comment, subject to the Mayor’s discret ion.
3. In person at Hesse Park: Members of the public wishing to speak in person may
be requested to sign in or complete a speaker’s card, available during the
meeting, and provide the same to the City Clerk. The City Council may limit the
number of individuals in the meeting room at any one time pursuant to guidance
from public health officials. Each member of the public must also wear a face
covering of the nose and mouth at all times during the course of the meeting
unless and until invited to speak at the podium.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you require a disability-related
modification or accommodation to participate in this meeting, please contact the City Clerk’s
Office at least 48 hours prior to the meeting at cityclerk@rpvca.gov or 310-544-5217. Staff will
use its best efforts to provide reasonable accommodations to provide as much accessibility as
possible while also maintaining public safety.
Please note that visiting the public counter requires an appointment ands wearing a face covering, or
you will have to socially distance outside.
B- 4
C-1
ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds may only be used for projects and
activities that meet one of the following national objectives of the program:
• Benefiting low and moderate income persons; or
• Preventing or eliminating slums or blights; or
• Meeting a particularly urgent community development need.
IF ANY OF THE ABOVE CONDITIONS ARE MET, under current guidelines, the City of Rancho
Palos Verdes may use CDBG funds for a variety of activities including:
1. Acquisition of Real Property
Example: Acquisition of land, air rights, easements, water rights, rights-of-ways,
building and other real property improvements.
2. Disposition of Real Property
Example: Disposition of real property acquired with CDBG funds through sale,
lease or donation including fees and costs associated with the transfer of
ownership of real property.
3. Public Facilities and Improvements
Example: Parking, streets, curbs, gutters and sidewalks, parks and playgrounds,
shelters for the homeless, water and sewer facilities, flood and drainage
improvements, community, senior and health centers.
4. Acquisition, Reconstruction, Rehabilitation or Installation of Privately-Owned Utilities
Example: Pay the costs of placing underground new or existing power lines owned
by private utilities.
5. Clearance, Demolition, Removal or Building and Improvements, or Movement of
Structure to Other Sites
Example: Demolition of vacant structure and removal of the debris to make a
neighborhood park and playground available to residents in a low/moderate income
neighborhood.
6. Public Services
Example: Child care, health care, job training, recreation programs, education programs,
public safety services, fair housing activities, services for senior citizens, services
for homeless persons, drug abuse counseling and treatment, and energy conservation
counseling and testing.
7. Interim Assistance
Example: Improvements to a deteriorating area as a prelude to permanent improvements
·or alleviation of harmful conditions where immediate public action is necessary.
8. Relocation Payments and Assistance
Example: Relocation and payments to displaced individuals, families, businesses,
or nonprofit organizations that result from the acquisition of property for CDBG-assisted
purposes.
9. Loss of Rental Income
Example: Loss of rental income incurred in holding housing units used for the
relocation of individuals and families displaced by CDBG-assisted activities.
D-1
10. Removal of Architectural Barriers
Example: Installation of ramps, curb cuts, wider doors, elevators, and physical
modification to buildings, facilities and improvements to make them accessible.
11. Housing Rehabilitation
Example: Financial assistance such as grants and deferred loans for the rehabilitation
of any publicly or privately-owned residential property.
12. New Housing Construction
Example: Funding for housing construction project that has received funding
through a Housing Development Grant (HODAG), or housing to be constructed
by a local development corporation, small business investment company, or
neighborhood-based nonprofit organization.
13. Code Enforcement
Example: Inspections in a low/moderate income neighborhood targeted for
rehabilitation assistance, a neighborhood facility and street reconstruction.
14. Historic Preservation
Example: Rehabilitation, preservation and restoration of historic properties.
15. Commercial or Industrial Rehabilitation
Example: Improvements to the exterior of the building and the correction of
code violations.
16. Special Economic Development
Example: Loans to pay for the expansion of a commercial business which will
create jobs for low/moderate income persons, or technical assistance to a
business facing bankruptcy.
17. Special Activities by Neighborhood-Based Nonprofit Organizations, Small
Business Investment Companies, or Local Development Corporations
Example: Provide grants or loans to carry out a neighborhood revitalization,
community economic development or energy conservation program.
18. Planning and Capacity Building
Example: Comprehensive plans, individual project plans, community development
plans, studies, analysis and data gathering.
19. Program Administration Costs
Example: Payment of costs for overall program management.
D-2
INELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES
Activities and projects that are ineligible for CDBG funding include:
1. Buildings or portions thereof, used for the general conduct of government.
2. General government expenses.
3. Political activities.
4. Purchase of equipment, unless otherwise required for program.
5. Operating and maintenance expenses.
6. New housing construction, except housing of last resort for persons displaced
due to a CDBG project, housing to be funded through a Housing Development
Grant (HODAG), or housing to be constructed by a local development corporation,
small business investment company, or neighborhood-based nonprofit organization.
7. Income payments to an individual or family for items such as food, clothing, housing
or utilities.
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